Travelling with Canon 500mm on CRJ-705

I'm going to be travelling on a CRJ-705 regional jet with my 500mm and am looking for advice on bags that will hopefully fit in the overhead or short of that, under the seat in front of me.

I am hoping that the collective intelligence of NatureScapes will give me an idea of what fits and what doesn't into this aircraft.

I have at my disposal a Moose Peterson MP-1 and a Gura Gear Kiboko. I'm considering purchasing a Think Tank Airport Antitodote if that's the only bag that wiil work for me.

The gear I need to get into the bag includes two pro Canon bodies, the 500mm, a 70-200 F2.8, a 24-70 F2.8 and the various stuff that makes that all connect and work.

Thanks in advance for any and all advice.

The LowePro Lens Trekker 600 will fit in the overhead of the Bombardier regional jets. The bag itself will accept a 500 f4 with body attached. I often squeeze a second body down at the bottom and one other small lens in the main compartment. There is a pouch on the front that takes a few teleconverters, etc..

Then, I fit my 70-200mm into the front pouch of my laptop bag which goes under my seat.

The Kiboko will work as long as you don't pack it up too thick.

Will the Airport International fit on CRJ aircraft?

Thanks E.J.

I assume you have direct experience with the Kiboko and the CRJ, just want to make sure because I don't want to make an assumption and then find out I'm out of luck.

I've used the Airport International on regionals and been forced to gate check at the last minute. It was the last time I used that bag on a regional flight as the handlers were throwing gate checked bags out of the hold onto the tarmac upon arrive. (NWA btw)

I've never had a problem with my 500 in a Kenesis L311 bag however the issue is there isn't any room in the bag for anything else.

I have also used a pelican 1510 a few times on flights where I could skycheck the case as I walked to the airplane. It's legal carryon size but you'll be forced to skycheck on Jazz and similar airlines.

Personally, I always have a back up plan as it seems there is no standard policy when it comes to bag size and regional jets -either a small napsack that is practically empty or my photovest that I can quickly stuff gear into if i'm forced to gate check at the last minute.

Good luck!

Brian K. wrote:Will the Airport International fit on CRJ aircraft?

No

Paul Burwell wrote:Thanks E.J.

I assume you have direct experience with the Kiboko and the CRJ, just want to make sure because I don't want to make an assumption and then find out I'm out of luck.

Yes but not all airlines have them configured the same way. It fits in the Mesa Airlines ones which operate as US Airways Express, United Express, etc...

But that said - even if you plan to cary gear on, ALWAYS pack it as if you were going to have to give it up because it can and does happen.

I use the Pelican and have had to gate check it a few times, especially in Europe on the KLM regional flights. However, I have never experienced any damage with it. I can fit the 500, 70-200 a body and one wide angle.

Worst case is to gate check your carry on bag, but remove the 500 and hand carry that. It will either fit under the seat or in the overhead if it is by itself. I do this all the time.

Paul, I flew in a CRJ aircraft to Winnipeg last November on Northwest Airliness, and the Kiboko bag easily fit in the overhead.

You may want to also look into a TravelCoat for added protection http://www.naturescapes.net/store/produ ... =67&page=1

I use the Lenscoat products like Scott mentioned. I also pack an empty lightweight nylon bag with handles on top of my gear. If I am forced to gate check my bag I can pull my equipment out and put it in the bag loose as they are all protected by the lenscoats. Takes some of the stress out of traveling.

Think Tank's Antidote, Ultralight and glass taxi all work well in the regional jets.

Not all regional jets, though, Tony. That is the issue here, as some regional jets, like the ERJ models, won't accommodate many bags that we would ever consider using for our camera gear for big lenses.

Andy,

I've never been in a regional jet that didn't handle a 7" deep bag. Are you saying there is a commuter jet that doesn't have an overhead area or can't put a bag under the seat? Or are you saying that you wouldn't consider the Antidote or Ultralight big enough for you?